SNOWBOARDING!

This is my buddy, Lendal. He's one of my best friends up here and I basically consider him my brother from another mother. (; He invited me to go snowboarding this morning up at Snowbowl. I got a snowboard & gear for Christmas and hadn't gone because there wasn't fresh snow since this semester started. We finally got some snow last week, and I only had one class today so I figured it certainly was worth ditching. So I did.
I hadn't been snowboarding in at least four years, probably five. But lemme tell you -- Lendal was a trooper. He was a phenomenal teacher for me and snowboarding felt pretty dang familiar. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to keep myself up about 90% of the time. I managed to not have any wipe-outs, but I did fall quite a bit on my knees and booty while trying to learn how to turn from heel-side to toe-side edges. But I GOT IT! We were out there from about 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM. I'm suuuuper sore & tired but so happy.
Now I am totally tempted to buy a season pass, with $400 I don't have.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful view from my 3rd floor dorm window. I sent this picture and text to my mom, sister, and dad.

"The view from my window."

And my dad replies:

"View from my truck."

He thinks he's sooo funny. He kind-of is.

weekend update.

I went home to QC this weekend. Came back two days later to find that Flagstaff had been dumped on. Got my car stuck in the parking lot within my first two minutes of arriving back on campus. Where was this mess back in December and January, I ask you? Nowhere to be found. Apparently Mother Nature has a sense of humor and decided to wait until mid-February to pile it on. The plus side? I can finally take my snowboard out this weekend.

So... on to the more eventful notes of my weekend.

FRIDAY
My babysis was supposed to come up to Flagstaff this weekend. Friday rolled around and sister dearest had strep. I was kind of counting on her to come up because just about all of my other friends up here were either going out of town for the holiday, had company coming up here, or were otherwise preoccupied. After my parents verifying that No, Madie cannot come visit, I decided to take off for the valley. Got in my car and took off.

Upon getting to the valley, I decided I would track down my other bestie, Cassie. I hadn't seen or heard from Cass in a while. Part of this is understandable; she is engaged to be married at the end of March. [Disclaimer: I love Cass to death, so anything I mention from this point is said entirely with love.] Since the wedding has come closer, Cass has been the worst person to get in contact with. Won't return phone calls or texts, make herself available, nada. As bestfriend, as well as the one between the two of us with our act together, I have to get things done -- namely the bridal shower/bachelorette party. Pretty hard to do when you can't get ahold of the bride... ANYWAYS -- I tracked down Cassie and found out she was at work (Coldstone :] ). I surprised her and said hi. Turns out she was happy to see me and wanted to hang with me the next day. :D Plans with Cassie?! No way! Hallelujah! So, we made plans to hang out on Saturday.

SATURDAY
Cassie and I got moving at noon. It was so much fun to be with her again, felt like the good old days in high-school and during the summers, riding in her Toyota P.O.S. listening to gangsta rap. We had a short list of wedding errands to run and get finished before Cass had to be to work at 5. First off was Michael's for some returns & reception decor browsing. We found the cutest white mini-lanters that held tea-lights. Just what were looking for. PERFECT! Got in the car and Cass said we had to go out to wayyy far Mesa for wedding invite envelopes. On the way, we drove past the apartment complex where she and Cam finally found a place to live. We arrived at the paper place to find that they are closed on Saturdays. No big. Off to Hobby Lobby! Let's just say, we had a blast browsing H.L...
After our rendezvous at Hobby Lobby, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Costa Vida and talked about all sorts of fun stuff... Like her wedding night & honeymoon. Hahahahah. I love bestfriendzz.

Saturday night, I went to see Unknown with my friend from NAU University ward, Jeph, & his buddy from the valley, Tyson. Jeph & I have been hanging out quite a bit very recently, though I've known him since the beginning of the school year. He's pretty rad, so I was happy for the invite. The movie was good, but the company was better. We ended up going to the movie theatre that is next door to the ColdStone that Cassie works at & I knew she was working. So, the three of us went and bombarded her at work, chatted it up, & harassed her for not giving us free ice cream. (: Good times.

SUNDAY
Not very eventful. I slept in, woke up, bleached my hair, packed my stuff, & took off for Flag. And here I am. I know I didn't mention much at all of family time, but trust me. I had plenty of it. My siblings and I watched LOST Friday night & Sunday morning, had mother/daughter bonding-time in mommy's bed early Saturday and Sunday morning, cleaned the house for Dad... Family time was good, just not anything particularly noteworthy. Let me get to the point -- it was a lovely weekend. Now I'm up to my knees in snow. Welcome to wintertime in Flagstaff.

Aqueous Transmission

This is me, all nestled into my super cozy (yes, seriously) dorm bed. My Best gave me some amazing advice the other day. She told me that putting my microfleece blanket between my sheets and comforter would be magical. Oh my word, magical doesn't even begin to cover it. I feel spoiled in my little twin-sized bed. It's amazing what the right amount of pillows and blankets can do. Oh, and a body pillow -- I call mine Boyfriend. Because he is. We snuggle a lot.

On another note, I feel great. This is a big deal for me because the last month has been a rough one on me. It was all my perception of what was going on around me, but as much as I tried not to think about things or tell myself I was being ridiculous, I could not get myself out of this dark place. One of my biggest problems was that I was keeping some pressing thoughts and feelings from my other best friend. I finally talked to him today. Basically spilled my guts like... Here you go. That's what has been making me crazy for a while now. The conversation went ridiculously well. I only wish that maybe we had the conversation sooner because it might have saved me a few days of insanity. Regardless, all that crap that was weighing down on me every time I saw him is now gone. G o n e. It's a huge relief to put everything out into the open. Forgive me for being cliche', but communication is so important for a healthy relationship or friendship. I was scared out of my wits to talk about everything, but it was worth it. I feel so good.